Did you notice purplish veins on your breast during pregnancy? Fret not! You’ve got visible veins, one of the early signs of pregnancy. The prominent veins carry blood from the body to the heart. The veins are not always visible but present beneath the skin. Many women notice veiny breasts from early pregnancy till delivery.
However, skin becomes stretchy during pregnancy, and blood pressure in veins increases. Due to this, veins appear swollen and easily visible on your breast, thighs, legs, and abdomen. Although this isn’t a cause for concern, a woman should be aware. With that in mind, we discuss veiny breasts during pregnancy, causes, and remedies to treat veiny breasts.
In This Article
- Are Veiny Breasts Common During Pregnancy?
- At What Stage of Pregnancy Do Veiny Breasts Show?
- Common Causes of Veiny Breasts During Pregnancy
- Can Veiny Breasts During Pregnancy be Treated?
- Can You Prevent Veiny Breasts During Pregnancy?
- Home Remedies For Visible Veins on Breasts During Pregnancy
- When Should You Consider Seeing the Doctor?
- FAQ’s
Are Veiny Breasts Common During Pregnancy?
Veiny breasts or visible veins are very common during pregnancy. Blood volume increases up to 40% during pregnancy, due to which veins become visible beneath the skin. During pregnancy, the breast becomes swollen and engorged, resulting in veiny breasts. The visibility of veins usually disappears after a few weeks of delivery.
At What Stage of Pregnancy Do Veiny Breasts Show?
Veiny breasts usually appear during the first trimester of pregnancy. In some cases, veiny breasts begin to appear near about ten weeks. At that time, a woman’s body begins to produce more blood to support the growing fetus. They’ll certainly continue to become even more noticeable during pregnancy.
Common Causes of Veiny Breasts During Pregnancy
Here are a few common causes of veiny breasts during pregnancy
1. Early Pregnancy
During early pregnancy, the breast becomes veiny because blood volume increases by 20-40% to support the growing fetus. Veins transport nutrients, blood, and oxygen to the developing embryo, which is why it becomes enlarged and easily visible on the breast.
2. Spider Veins or Varicose Veins
Varicose veins generally appear on the breast because of weak vein valves, due to which blood pools up into blood vessels. As a result, veins look swollen and may pop out on the breast, which can be painful sometimes. On the other hand, spider veins are comparatively less severe than varicose veins. Varicose veins are most common in the leg and thigh areas.
3. Breast Changes
Changes in how the breasts appear are among the most typical pregnancy symptoms. They could enlarge and become delicate or extremely sensitive. Your areola (nipples) might darken, and the veins on the breasts might become apparent.
[Read : Breast Changes During Pregnancy]
4. Mondor’s Disease
The disease is also known as superficial thrombophlebitis. This condition can also result in veiny breasts. This is a rare non-cancerous condition, and it can happen to women anytime, even during pregnancy. This usually occurs when veins in the breast wall get inflamed and result in visible veins. The diseases usually go away after some time. However, if it doesn’t cure, you must take it to the notice of your doctor. They may suggest certain anti-inflammatory drugs.
Can Veiny Breasts During Pregnancy Be Treated?
There is no particular treatment for veiny breasts during pregnancy. Usually, visible veins disappear after the delivery of the baby. You don’t need to be concerned about these visible veins. However, for some women, it may take up to months to go away. In such cases, you may need to consider taking this to the notice of your doctor. You can even consider informing your doctor if you feel concerned about veiny breasts during pregnancy. They will talk, and help you with the necessary steps to follow.
Can You Prevent Veiny Breasts During Pregnancy?
If you’re thinking of getting rid of those visible veins on the breast during pregnancy, here’s the best you can do. Wear a supportive bra that helps to support your growing breast and provide some relief from bulging veins. Usually, they get back to normal once you deliver the baby.
The veins on the breasts will still be visible while you’re nursing, but once you start tapering your kid, those veiny lines will go permanently or at least until your future pregnancy. However, if they continue to irritate you, a dermatologist could be able to reduce the veins using laser therapy.
Home Remedies For Visible Veins on Breasts During Pregnancy
If you get visible veins during pregnancy, here are a few remedies to reduce the appearance of veiny breasts.
1. Exercise
Exercise is beneficial for the woman during pregnancy. It promotes blood circulation that helps to combat those visible veins. In addition to visible veins, exercise during pregnancy helps reduce back pain, fatigue, and constipation.
[Read : 11 Simple Exercises During Pregnancy For Every Trimester]
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is beneficial in maintaining the elasticity of the veins. This helps to reduce the appearance of visible veins. Therefore, if you observe visible veins on your breast, increase your intake of vitamin C-rich food in your diet. Some pregnancy-friendly vitamin C food includes mangos, kiwi, melon, strawberries, and tomatoes. Avoid adding any vitamin supplement unless your physician suggests you.
3. Sleep on Left Side
Doctors suggest sleeping on the left side instead of sleeping on the back. If you lay down on the bed on your back, it exerts extra pressure, compressing your veins and carrying blood from the lower side to the heart. Try to sleep by tilting on the left side. This promotes blood flow properly to the upper body and lower body.
4. Avoid Weight Training/Heavy Lifting
Lifting heavy objects or weight training may result in bulging veins. Therefore, it is advised to avoid heavy-weight training and heavy lifting.
When Should You Consider Seeing the Doctor?
During pregnancy, a woman should do a timely visit to the doctor for consultation. However, if those visible veins cause trouble to you, such as redness and pain, you should consult with your physician. Above this, if you observe some swelling in the breast, inflammation, and itching near those veins, tell your doctor about your condition to get proper treatment.
Veiny breasts can make you a little self-conscious during pregnancy. But you don’t need to worry about those visible veins as it vanishes after the delivery of the baby. Follow a few home remedies above to reduce the appearance of those veins. However, if those veins don’t fade away even after weeks of delivery, we suggest you consult a doctor for better treatment.
FAQ’s
1. How Soon Do Blue Veins Show on Breasts in Pregnancy?
Blue or visible veins occur due to the increased blood flow to your breasts. They are usually visible during the first trimester of pregnancy or near the 10th week of pregnancy.
2. Does Massage Help Reduce Visible Veins on Breasts During Pregnancy?
Massage is beneficial in many ways during pregnancy. It can also help reduce the appearance of visible veins on your breasts. You can use bio-oil or vitamin C moisturizer for breast massage. However, talk to your doctor before you go ahead with any remedy all by yourself.
3. Where Do Veins Pop Out the Most When Pregnant Other Than the Breast?
During pregnancy, your body goes through many changes, and visible veins are one of them. In addition to the breast, visible veins can be observed on ankles, legs, external genitals, arms, and lower abdomen. Hemorrhoids, also known as varicose veins, may occur near the anus. Spider veins can also occur during pregnancy in different parts of the body.
Read Also: Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
